AfricanSkies
15th Jan 2001, 12:51
CAA head 'ignored rules'
Wolfram Zwecker
Johannesburg – An independent panel of investigation found that suspended Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) commissioner Trevor Abrahams took scant notice of regulations following an air crash at the Rand Airport about 18 months ago.
The CAA is the controlling body for aviation regulations in South Africa.
National Airways Corporation (NAC) executive director and a board member of the CAA board of directors, Graeme Conlyn, who was in contact with Abrahams shortly after the accident, also ignored regulations in terms of which accidents are required to be reported to the CAA as soon as possible.
The second panel was appointed to probe an incident on July 18, 1999, involving a two-engine aircraft with Abrahams in control which left the runway and burst two tyres, shortly after landing at the Rand Airport. Abrahams only reported the incident to the CAA on the following day.
Findings of the second panel of investigation led by Advocate Vincent Maleka, who was also in charge of the first panel, were announced over the weekend. The first panel was appointed to probe allegations over the buying and selling of pilots' licenses.
The panel found that in terms of CAA regulations the incident should have been reported as soon as possible. Abrahams's argument in defence that there was nobody present at the airport to report to, but that he done so within 24 hours, was in contravention of regulations and held no water.
In his testimony before the panel Abrahams said he had reported the accident immediately to Conlyn of NAC, who own the aircraft, asking him what he should do. It was decided to tow the aircraft with a car to a stretch of grass adjacent to the runway and that NAC would take it further the next day.
In terms of aviation regulations the owners of the aircraft are required to report the incident to the CAA, which they failed to do.
The panel maintains that if Abrahams was able to contact Conlyn, he could also have contacted a CAA accident inspector.
“In his capacity as commissioner he should have been aware of the fact that accident inspectors are on duty 24 hours a day and can always be contacted,” it was found.
Actions Were 'Inexplicable'
The panel also found that that Rennie van Zyl, former Civil Aviation Department chief and CAA technical adviser at the time of the accident had mismanaged the incident.
Abrahams reported the accident to him, however, Van Zyl decided nothing further needed to be done concerning the incident.
The panel also found it inexplicable why CAA general manager Vicky Buxton was called in, rather than an accident inspector as is the required procedure. Important technical information was also omitted from the report Abrahams submitted to Van Zyl.
CAA board of directors chairman Israel Skosana said in reaction to the findings that the board would refrain from taking any action against Abrahams, pending the outcome of the criminal case against him.
Abrahams appears again in court on Wednesday to set a final trial date. He was arrested last year together with two CAA employees and eight pilots on charges of fraud and corruption. The case stems from the alleged buying and selling of pilot’s licence examination papers.
Shortly after the allegations surrounding aviation licences came to light, an investigation panel was appointed to probe allegations within the CAA. Panel findings include irregularities in connection with Abrahams’s pilot’s licence and its grading.
Wolfram Zwecker
Johannesburg – An independent panel of investigation found that suspended Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) commissioner Trevor Abrahams took scant notice of regulations following an air crash at the Rand Airport about 18 months ago.
The CAA is the controlling body for aviation regulations in South Africa.
National Airways Corporation (NAC) executive director and a board member of the CAA board of directors, Graeme Conlyn, who was in contact with Abrahams shortly after the accident, also ignored regulations in terms of which accidents are required to be reported to the CAA as soon as possible.
The second panel was appointed to probe an incident on July 18, 1999, involving a two-engine aircraft with Abrahams in control which left the runway and burst two tyres, shortly after landing at the Rand Airport. Abrahams only reported the incident to the CAA on the following day.
Findings of the second panel of investigation led by Advocate Vincent Maleka, who was also in charge of the first panel, were announced over the weekend. The first panel was appointed to probe allegations over the buying and selling of pilots' licenses.
The panel found that in terms of CAA regulations the incident should have been reported as soon as possible. Abrahams's argument in defence that there was nobody present at the airport to report to, but that he done so within 24 hours, was in contravention of regulations and held no water.
In his testimony before the panel Abrahams said he had reported the accident immediately to Conlyn of NAC, who own the aircraft, asking him what he should do. It was decided to tow the aircraft with a car to a stretch of grass adjacent to the runway and that NAC would take it further the next day.
In terms of aviation regulations the owners of the aircraft are required to report the incident to the CAA, which they failed to do.
The panel maintains that if Abrahams was able to contact Conlyn, he could also have contacted a CAA accident inspector.
“In his capacity as commissioner he should have been aware of the fact that accident inspectors are on duty 24 hours a day and can always be contacted,” it was found.
Actions Were 'Inexplicable'
The panel also found that that Rennie van Zyl, former Civil Aviation Department chief and CAA technical adviser at the time of the accident had mismanaged the incident.
Abrahams reported the accident to him, however, Van Zyl decided nothing further needed to be done concerning the incident.
The panel also found it inexplicable why CAA general manager Vicky Buxton was called in, rather than an accident inspector as is the required procedure. Important technical information was also omitted from the report Abrahams submitted to Van Zyl.
CAA board of directors chairman Israel Skosana said in reaction to the findings that the board would refrain from taking any action against Abrahams, pending the outcome of the criminal case against him.
Abrahams appears again in court on Wednesday to set a final trial date. He was arrested last year together with two CAA employees and eight pilots on charges of fraud and corruption. The case stems from the alleged buying and selling of pilot’s licence examination papers.
Shortly after the allegations surrounding aviation licences came to light, an investigation panel was appointed to probe allegations within the CAA. Panel findings include irregularities in connection with Abrahams’s pilot’s licence and its grading.